abenson
Wyoming
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Joined: 03/09/2008
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The hot water smells when it comes out. I can really describe the smell it kinda like rotten eggs but not. Does anyone know what smell I am talking about? If so what do I do to fix this? Its stinky.
Thanks,
Adam
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RGar974417
Robesonia,Pa 19551
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Joined: 11/11/2000
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It's sulfer. Drain your water heater tank,flush your system and you'll be good to go.
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TheGanzman
SoCal
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Joined: 11/16/2006
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RGar974417 wrote:It's sulfer. Drain your water heater tank,flush your system and you'll be good to go.
Better yet - go to any Camping World; they've got a "wand-type" device that you can attach to your garden hose to clean out your water tank. Take out your plastic plug (turn a faucet on "hot" FIRST in the RV w/the water pump off to relieve the pressure), then work that wand inside the tank. Do it several times too, maybe three times in as many weeks. You will be AMAZED at the "pellets" that come outta that tank! I got chunks of sediment outta there (after only three years) that I couldn't believe; it's a wonder there was any room for water in the danged thing!
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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this also comes from the water you are using in the water tank. Are you on a well or is it city water? well water is untreated and the sulfur in that water, when it gets hot smells like rotten eggs.
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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I had the same problem. I found my Anode rod had eroded down to nothing. I replaced the anode rod and flushed out the water heater tank. That fixed it.
Ernie Fortier
99 Bounder 34V
2 honda 2K paralled (for economy)
5.5 Onan onboard
96 Geo Tracker 4x4 Auto. convertable
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vikx
Washington State
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Joined: 08/03/2006
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Bleach also helps with the smell. After flushing, you might try soaking the tank for a few hours. VK
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SweetLou
La Quinta, CA USA
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All good posts but use Ganzman's method and you will be fine. You may be replacing the anode out if it is a suburban unit. Atwoods you don't have to do that from what I am told.
2005 3500 Cummins HO Quadcab 4x2 3.73 6 spd man, 2007 HitchHiker Discover America 329 RSB
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BillsMax
North Carolina
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Joined: 12/12/2001
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I also have the same problem. When I camp in the Florida Keys, it gets really bad. I've tried all kinds of things but the best was to take a 1 1/2 foot section of 1/4 copper tube, crimp on end to cause water to come thru with a lot of pressure and attach other end to a hose connection. Then do as previously described and use it to flush out the tank by turning it to spray in all directions inside tank. You'll be amazed how much white junk comes out. I have to do this before each major trip and it pretty much takes care of problem unless i get a water supply that has lots of sulphur in it. Then it will build up again pretty quickly. I have also filled the hot water tank with a strong vinegar solution and let it sit for about 8 hrs then flush with my homemade sprayer and that seems to do the best job but it may be a bit of overkill.
By the way, none of the other campers I've talked to in the Keys have this smell problem, so there is something particular about my heater causing the problem. My heater does not come with an anode but many others don't also. However, my water temp is very hi and the water is very hot, about 142 degrees. I think the excessive heat is what is causing the problem for me and why others aren't having the problem. There is no thermostat on my water heater, so I can't adjust mine. BUT if you have a thermostat on yours, I would suggest reducing it a bit and see if that doesn't eliminate your problem.
Good luck
billsMax White 2005 chevy 2500 crew cab Lb 4x4 Duramax/allison
Pulling 38' 2004 Jayco 3610 Legacy
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abenson
Wyoming
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Well lets see. The people who had this before filled it with well water. So there was well water in it. I am filling it with city water now but I suppose I need to flush it to get rid of the smell. If I don't flush it will the water cause any problems health wise or will it just smell?
Also this is probably a stupid question but what does the anode do?
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Camper Ken
Oregon
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Joined: 06/02/2007
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It's simply caused by certain impurities in the water. Letting the water sit in the heater makes it worse. Simply flush out the tank a few times and run fresh clean water through the lines. If you can't make your own attachment like BillsMax did, you can buy a long skinny plastic nozzle made for flushing water heaters from Camping World. I flush my water heater a couple times per year to remove the white scale that builds up in it.
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
(2006 Ford E450 chassis)
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
2006 Ford E450 chassis
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